NC H599

Requires most law enforcement officers to wear and activate body-worn cameras during recordable interactions with the public, with exceptions for confidential informants, private residences without consent, strip searches without consent, and victim/witness interviews without consent.

Establishes that law enforcement officers must inform the public they are being recorded when safe and practical, announce before deactivating cameras, and note in incident reports that recordings were made.

Allows law enforcement agencies to disclose body-worn camera recordings to the public upon written request, with authority to redact portions not required to be recorded or prohibited by law; provides court process for compelling disclosure.

Requires retention of original, unredacted recordings for the later of 60 days from recording date, court order period, or 10 days after related legal proceedings conclude; failure to comply is admissible as evidence in civil or criminal actions.

Appropriates $5,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to the Governor's Crime Commission for grants to law enforcement agencies to purchase and maintain body-worn cameras, with grants requiring a 5:1 match of nongrant funds and capped at $100,000 per agency.